Process for the manufacture of maleic

Abstract

A catalyst for the oxidation of butane to produce maleic anhydride comprising a substrate containing phosphorus and vanadium or alternatively phosphorus, vanadium and a co-metal characterized by the presence of post deposited vanadium. A process for the manufacture of maleic anhydride from butane feedstock using the novel catalyst is also described. Maleic anhydride is useful in the manufacture of alkyd resins.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for producing maleic anhydride, which process comprises oxidizing butane with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising an activated substrate comprising phosphorus and vanadium, said subsubstrate having vanadium post-deposited upon its surface. 
     
     
       2. A process for producing maleic anhydride, which process comprises oxidizing butane with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising an activated substrate comprising phosphorus, vanadium and a co-metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, zinc, bismuth, copper, tungsten, uranium, titanium, tin, cobalt, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, antimony, and mixtures thereof, said substrate having vanadium post-deposited upon its surface. 
     
     
       3. A process for producing maleic anhydride, which process comprises oxidizing butane with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising an activated substrate comprising phosphorus, vanadium and a co-metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, zinc, and mixtures thereof, said substrate having vanadium post-deposited upon its surface.